Education Rights of Girls in Sierra LeonE

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Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa, in which the government has tried to improve the situation regarding education and the equality of opportunities offered to young women. Nevertheless, several inequality issues are still being faced by young women in Sierra Leone. Several hardships persist for the young women and education is often an important factor and topic regarding the future of women. 

On April 24, 2023, Sierra Leone’s parliament enacted the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, which acknowledges that pregnant girls would not be allowed to attend school. There are several undermentioned factors which also may add onto the severity of the situation, such as poverty and marrying young. There are several reasons that may make it harder for women in Sierra Leone to have an education, however, the issues that still persist should be highlighted and spoken about. Several young girls have felt pressured or burdened by the effects of poverty to marry men who may provide food, clothing, and shelter. 

Empowering women and being in a supporting environment may help encourage young girls to continue or pursue an education. According to several interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch and Purposeful, a 16-year-old girl describes how she was being supported. “I was stressed going to school when pregnant. She encouraged me. She also shared her story of being pregnant when she was in school. [She] says she was chased away, and she encouraged me [to stay].” Moreover, there have been several initiatives set in Sierra Leone to support young girls on the continuation of their education, no matter the circumstances.